Jarrod Berry was a steal for the Lions at Pick No. 17 in the 2016 AFL Draft. 

The athletic midfielder was arguably the best performer at the 2016 AFL Combine and was expected to be close to a top ten pick.

After seeing his best mate and Ballarat Rebels teammate Hugh McCluggage drafted by the Lions at Pick No. 3, Berry was ecstatic to hear his name called out to head north as well. 

"For me it was a pretty exciting time. You finish school and are ready to move on to the next part of your life," Berry said.

"To follow my best mate [Hugh] and a few other mates getting drafted it's really exciting.

"Around draft time was a nervous and exciting time. You just want to get it over and done with."  

Finally knowing where he was headed came as a huge relief for Berry.

"It's running through your head all the feelings and emotions [after being selected]," Berry said.

"Obviously moving away is a big one. Once I realised and got that relief of actually knowing what I was going to do next year was very exciting for me and my family."

Berry enjoyed a fantastic first year at the Lions, making his debut in Round 3 along with McCluggage and eventually playing 16 Senior matches. His tremendous form saw him rewarded with a contract extension that will see him stay at the Lions until the end of 2020. 

"I loved every minute of my first year with the Lions," Berry said.

Watch previous interviews with 2016 Draftees:

One year on: Hugh McCluggage
One year on: Alex Witherden
One year on: Jacob Allison